DAKOTA CITY - Humboldt area residents have requested the county make repairs to Penn Avenue.

On Monday, Humboldt County supervisors were presented with petitions signed by about 800 people requesting repairs of the road, which is located approximately three miles east of Humboldt.

The petitions called for the section of sealcoat on Penn Avenue from Iowa Highway 3 north to 210th Street be repaired and maintained.

Dean Otto, who lives along Penn Avenue, said there are some businesses and seven families along the road.

Otto said that the road was sealcoated 20 years ago and for the most part there has been little maintenance done since.

Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen urged the board to repair the road.

"We have something that a lot of counties would like to have," said Jensen, referring to the Humboldt County Dragway, which is served by Penn Avenue.

According to information from the North Central Iowa Regional Sports Authority District of Hamilton, Humboldt, and Webster Counties the Humboldt County Dragway is one of the major sporting venues in Humboldt County. The multiple races involve 1,000 participants and 3,000 spectators during the season.

Dragway owners Chuck and Shirley Martensen said they felt the poor condition of the road has affected their business.

"If it deteriorates further I will probably close the dragstrip." Shirley Mortensen said.

Board Chairman Harlan Hansen said the board will discuss the matter with County Engineer Paul Jacobson.

Contact Robert Wolf at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net